Vinyl flooring tiles for kitchens


Kitchen Vinyl Flooring | Different Types, Best Brands and Prices

Are Vinyl Floors the Best Kitchen Flooring Option?

Vinyl is one of the most popular kitchen flooring options and a top choice for most homeowners. Water-resistant or Waterproof vinyl flooring is perfect for the kitchen which is prone to spills and moisture. Its durability is valuable in the high traffic kitchen environment and being easy to clean makes kitchen flooring maintenance a breeze.

January 5, 2023, by: Jamie Sandford

This page is about the best vinyl kitchen flooring for your home – and why vinyl is a material worth considering.

The four main types of vinyl flooring for kitchens are discussed – what they are and how much they cost. Information on waterproof options, today’s top vinyl flooring brands and things to think about when choosing vinyl for the kitchen are included.


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Kitchen vinyl flooring comes in four main types. From cheap to premium, they are peel and stick ($), sheet vinyl ($-$$), LVP or luxury vinyl plank ($$-$$$) and EVP or engineered vinyl plank ($$$-$$$$).

Why vinyl for the kitchen? Let’s count the ways. It is water resistant or waterproof depending on the type, so it stands up to splashes and spills. The best stuff is tough enough to handle a high volume of traffic. And you have attractive options to fit your budget level.

Attractive? If your vision of vinyl is the plasticky stuff your grandmother had in her kitchen, take another look. Today’s vinyl mimics better than ever the appearance of genuine wood, stone and tile. The best LVP and EVP are hard to distinguish from the real thing.

PROS AND CONS OF KITCHEN VINYL

Here’s a quick take on the advantages and disadvantages of installing vinyl flooring in the kitchen instead of other popular options like engineered hardwood and tile.

Pros

Cons

HOW MUCH DOES KITCHEN VINYL FLOORING COST?

Here’s a table showing four types of vinyl flooring for the kitchen and how much they cost.

Full details on the materials, cost factors, installation requirements and labor cost are below the table.

Type Cost Range/sq. ft. Average/sq. ft.
Peel and Stick $0.40 – $2.25 $1.25
Sheet Vinyl $0.65 – $5.00 $1.90
LVP $1.50 – $7.00 $3.35
EVP $3.90 – $9.50 $5.50

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KITCHEN VINYL

This section on vinyl flooring for kitchen installation will assist in choosing one that fits your preferences for cost, durability and features.

PEEL AND STICK VINYL FLOORING: Improved yet budget-friendly for Smaller, Low-traffic Kitchens

Some readers are snickering because we included peel and stick vinyl flooring in a respectable post – and we understand. The perception of this material is terrible – but while this is still affordable kitchen flooring, it has been improved in quality and appearance.

What it is: AKA peel & stick and peel-n-stick vinyl flooring, it is now more like sheet vinyl but cut into planks or tiles with an adhesive backing. This vinyl flooring is worth considering if you’re on a budget and/or want to install it yourself. Home Depot offers a good tip: Buy all flooring for the project from the same lot or run of flooring to ensure consistent color shade. The lot/run should be stamped on each box of tiles.

Installation: The adhesive isn’t super-sticky, it’s really just grippy enough to hold it firmly in place against a clean subfloor, preferably plywood, though it works on a concrete slab too. You can also install it over sheet vinyl in good condition – but beware that imperfections will show through, something called “telegraphing.”

Cost: $0.40 (40 cents) to $2. 25 per square foot. The average cost is about $1.00 to $1.50.

Best Use: We like peel and stick for smaller kitchens, like a galley kitchen that isn’t the main “hangout” in the house. It’s a suitable flooring for a quick, DIY makeover that serves the purpose for 5-10 years. If the kitchen gets a lot of traffic, choose another vinyl flooring type.

SHEET VINYL: Popular for Budget and Midrange Remodeling Projects

This tried-and-proven flooring has been upgraded in construction and appearance over the last decade.

What it is: It comes in felt-backed, full glue sheet flooring, vinyl-backed perimeter-glue options and fiberglass-backed loose lay sheet vinyl.

Sheet vinyl now features multiple layers in the core for beefier strength and full waterproof performance.

The core is topped with a digitally produced photograph of genuine wood, stone or ceramic tile – yes, an exact image of the real thing. A durable wear layer covers the flooring. It is resistant to scratches and yellowing to make sheet vinyl longer lasting than ever.

Installation: Pro installation is a good idea, especially if the floor layout is complex. We suggest this because one false cut can ruin a large sheet of material. If you want to tackle the job yourself take a look at how to install vinyl sheet flooring. The best material is now loose-lay vinyl that doesn’t require gluing anywhere, and you’ll still find material that requires perimeter or full gluing.

Cost: Less than $1.00 to about $5.00 per square foot with an average close to $2.00.

Best use: It’s an excellent choice in most kitchens, and it won’t harm resale unless your home is decidedly upscale – and then you are better off choosing LVP or EVP.

LUXURY VINYL PLANK/TILE, aka LVP/LVT: A Great Choice When Appearance and Performance Matter

This is today’s best-selling plank vinyl flooring, and most of it is waterproof. The rest offers excellent water resistance.

What it is: This material is produced in two basic types. Standard vinyl planks have no core or a foam core. Rigid core vinyl has a waterproof core, either stone polymer composite (SPC) or wood polymer composite (WPC). Wear layers of 12 to 20 mils are common, though some premium plank vinyl has a thicker wear layer.

Installation: Plank vinyl flooring is a DIY-friendly material. It cuts easily, and most fits together with locking edges or is loose lay flooring – the planks have a fiberglass mat back that “hug” the floor and requires no adhesive.

Cost: Cheap vinyl plank flooring starts at about $1.50 per square foot and ranges to $7.00 or more for a few super-premium options. Most homeowners pay an average $2.75 to $4.00 per square foot for the material.

Best use: It is an ideal choice for any kitchen except those in which hardwood or premium ceramic and stone tile are the only materials consistent with the value of the home.

ENGINEERED VINYL PLANK, aka EVP: Today’s Premium Kitchen Vinyl Flooring

EVP flooring is a newer designation for some rigid core plank vinyl flooring, both WPC and SPC types. Both offer waterproof performance – though you shouldn’t expect them to survive undamaged if your kitchen floods and the water remains on it for days. But go ahead and wet-mop the floor, and a glass of spilled water or even a tipped bucket won’t cause a problem.

What it is: EVP is premium SPC or WPC rigid core vinyl plank flooring that offers good dimensional stability. Above the core, the design layer features a photo-realistic image of whatever the floor is designed to look like – wood, stone or tile.

The image is covered with clear vinyl and a scratch-resistant wear layer. Most EVP has attached pad for sound-dampening and a softer feel under foot.

Installation: Like standard vinyl planks, engineered vinyl plank flooring comes in click-together and loose-lay options.

Cost: About $4 to $10 per square foot with an average around $5 or $6. Keep in mind that these prices are comparable to engineered hardwood, which is another very good kitchen flooring choice.

Best use: If vinyl is consistent with homes in your area, then this is your premium choice in kitchen vinyl flooring.

HOW MUCH DOES INSTALLATION COST

Well, for starters, peel and stick is almost always DIY.

Sheet vinyl installation costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot based on the complexity of the work.

The average cost to install vinyl plank flooring is $2.00 to $4.50, again based on how much trimming and working around obstacles is required in your kitchen. Most homeowners pay between $2.00 and $3.50 per square foot.

HOW TO FIND THE BEST VINYL FLOORING FOR YOUR KITCHEN

Here are a few tips that will help you make an informed buying decision you’ll be happy with for years to come.

  1. Keep up with the neighborhood: You’ll protect your home’s value by choosing kitchen flooring consistent with what is commonly used where you live. Don’t know what fits your street? Ask a realtor – they’ve been through hundreds of homes near you and can advise you.
  2. Understand wear layer and durability: There are two factors to consider. The first is the thickness of the wear layer. Cheap vinyl has a thin wear layer in the 4 to 8 mils range – a mil is 1/1000th of an inch. If you want the floor to look good for a decade-plus, then choose material with a wear layer of at least 10 or 12 mils especially in a high traffic kitchen; 16-20 or more is better. Secondly, consider what’s in the wear layer. Is it urethane? That’s good, but if it’s treated for enhanced resistance to scratches and stains, that’s a more durable choice.
  3. Make it healthy: We’re all concerned with indoor air quality (IAQ), and your kitchen flooring material matters. Regardless of which specific material you select, look for brands with a FloorScore or GreenGuard rating for zero or low levels of VOC toxins.
  4. Protect your investment with care and maintenance: Put pads on chair legs and furniture legs. Lift and move rather than drag heavy objects. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed. Reduce running and rowdy play for kids and adults alike.

A shoes-off policy always helps. Pick up dust and dirt regularly, so it won’t act like an abrasive under your feet – and do the job with a brushless vacuum. Oh, and clean up spills, especially those that might stain, pretty quickly. Quality kitchen vinyl doesn’t need to be pampered, but a little TLC will go a long way toward keeping it looking its best.

What about vinyl flooring in other rooms of your home?

Vinyl Flooring for Bathrooms

Vinyl Flooring for Basements

BEST VINYL FLOORING BRANDS FOR THE KITCHEN

From cheap to premium, brands seek to fill one or more cost/quality niches with flooring that will catch your attention.

BUDGET KITCHEN VINYL:

If your budget maxes out at $1.00 or $2.00 per square foot, then consider peel and stick or sheet vinyl. We’d steer clear of the cheapest plank vinyl because it wears quickly and the click-lock joints are weak.

Brands to consider are TrafficMaster at Home Depot, store brands at Lowes and Menards, and the more affordable vinyl options from well-known brands like Shaw, Congoleum, Home Decorators and Armstrong.

MID-PRICED OPTIONS:

You’ve got more choice in the $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot range than either cheaper or pricier tiers. Literally every major manufacturer makes vinyl flooring for kitchens in this range.

You’ll find premium sheet vinyl and good-quality WPC and SPC rigid core flooring from Shaw, Mannington, CoreTec, Tarkett, Mohawk, Armstrong, NuCore, SmartCore, StainMaster, Karndean – and more.

PREMIUM VINYL FLOORING FOR KITCHENS:

The best vinyl flooring for kitchens includes a few top of the line sheet vinyl choices, but most of it is rigid core WPC and SPC choices – that is, engineered vinyl plank or EVP.

Brands? Our EVP report recommends COREtec for selection, Mohawk SolidTech for easy DIY, Karndean Korlok for photo-realistic appearance. Pergo Extreme (yes, Pergo now makes LVP) is also worth considering.

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM HOME FLOORING PROS

More Kitchen Flooring Reports:

Epoxy Kitchen Flooring

About the Author:

Jamie Sandford

Jamie Sandford is the Owner and Chief Editor of Home Flooring Pros (find out more). After 12 years’ experience in screen and stage set construction, followed by a further 15 years working in the home renovation/remodeling business, he now writes and curates online home improvement advice.

“Buying and installing home flooring should be a fairly straightforward process, but often it isn’t. After more than 15 years experience in home flooring and remodeling, I started Home Flooring Pros in 2013 to help homeowners navigate the often-over complicated process of choosing, buying and installing a home floor. The aim is to save you time and money by helping you to make better floor buying decisions.”

Vinyl flooring for kitchens: 14 floor ideas made from vinyl

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(Image credit: Harvey Maria)

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Looking for great looking vinyl flooring for kitchens? It’s easy to see why you might be considering a vinyl kitchen floor. It's affordable, easy-to-install, and you can create so many different looks. 

Kitchen flooring ideas are endless ... You could choose to brighten up a neutral kitchen with a strikingly bold design, or you could opt for a relaxed, New England look with stone effect flooring, or add rustic style luxury vinyl wood effect tiles to a farmhouse kitchen.

David Snazel, Hard flooring Buyer at Carpetright says, 'Vinyl flooring is a great and inexpensive way to add color, pattern and personality to kitchen without compromising on safety or quality. Being highly durable, slip-resistant and moisture proof it is ideal busy households with young children.'

Experts at Amtico explain more about luxury vinyl flooring, 'Luxury vinyl flooring – known as LVT for short - is a brilliant choice for a kitchen and feels warmer underfoot than other tiles. It comes in lots of finishes, from wood-effect to stone, and can be laid in all manner of different patterns, including on-trend herringbone.'

'LVT is really easy to clean, maintain and keep looking as good as new – a quick sweep and a regular light mop are all that’s needed. Spillages are easy to wipe up and LVT’s hard-wearing surface is also waterproof and stain resistant – making it the perfect floor to sit beneath a dining table.'

In the past, vinyl flooring got bad rap for looking cheap and being an outdated, '60s throwback, but these fresh ideas are proof that this interiors stalwart has improved dramatically in looks and performance.  

Plus, if you're thinking about vinyl flooring but don't know where to start, we have a guide for that: how to choose vinyl flooring.

1. Realistic wood-effect vinyl kitchen floor

(Image credit: Lowes)

If you have quite a traditional kitchen, you may want the look of real wood without the upkeep. We're right there with you.

Wood effect vinyl can look ultra realistic and these vinyl planks from Lowes are a fine example. With an embossed textured wood look, you get the look and feel of the real thing with the durability a kitchen demands. 

Plus, it's 100% waterproof, easy to install and a breeze to clean. What's not to like? 

We always recommend asking a professional floor fitter to lay vinyl but if you are a DIY aficionado, here's how to lay it yourself, with thanks to experts at Bidvine .

2. Patterned encaustic tile vinyl flooring

(Image credit: Harvey Maria )

Inspired by encaustic cement tiles that have decorated the most exclusive buildings for centuries, you can buy sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles which offer this premium look at a way more affordable price. Plus, your floor will be warmer underfoot. 

This decorative Moorish style vinyl flooring from Harvey Maria adds a decorative spin to an otherwise white kitchen.

3. Geometric tile effect kitchen vinyl flooring

(Image credit: Karndean )

Geometric cubist tiling is well known for making rooms seem bigger than they are. If you don't fancy paying through the nose for the real deal to create this effect, Karndean's striking vinyl floor tiles are just the ticket.  

4. Slate effect vinyl tiles 

(Image credit: Moduleo)

Really love the textured look of slate but don't fancy entering the kitchen first thing in the morning barefoot to catch a chill? Keep your tootsies snuggly at all times with realistic looking Mustang slate tiles from Moduleo.

5. Be bold with pattern 

(Image credit: Moduleo )

If you want to really make a statement with vinyl, Moduleo have you covered with their Arrow collection which features a chevron pattern with two tone tiles. 

The finished look is visually striking and comes in a few neutral color combinations. Pair with mid century modern furniture and freestanding furniture for added wow factor.

6. Parquet effect vinyl floor tiles

(Image credit: Moduleo)

Timeless, classic and striking all at the same time, parquet flooring is on everyone's wish list. Parquet luxury vinyl flooring offers the same stunning look but without the cost and practicality issues associated with its natural counterpart.  

Whether you want a more traditional oak look or a more modern grey shade, there's a hue for every style of kitchen. 

7. Create your own vinyl floor pattern

(Image credit: Moduleo)

If you're looking for a bold kitchen floor tile idea, this one is right up your street. In a classic herringbone style, create your own blend of colors and create your own pattern. 

Keep the pattern to small planks to keep the look finessed without seeming disorganised.

8. Create a patchwork of vinyl flooring

(Image credit: Amtico)

A modern take on the traditional flagstone design, Amtico's The Scape collection recreate the gentle shift of grain in natural stone in softly colored neutrals in rich pinks and purples.

This look would work equally well in an industrial style kitchen as it would in a more modern kitchen idea. 

9. Wood effect vinyl tiles in an open plan living area

(Image credit: Moduleo)

When you are fitting out vinyl flooring in an open plan living area, keep a seamless look by keeping the same throughout.

David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright says, 'Open plan layouts are growing in popularity and selecting a contemporary style floor that can flow through all areas, connects the zones and creates the illusion of a larger space.'

'In a broken plan layout carry the same flooring through from the kitchen to conjoining areas to create a consistent flow between the rooms.'

'Chevron wood flooring can be especially effective running from a narrow kitchen into a separate dining or living space to help these areas feel harmonious.'

10. Use patterned vinyl tiles to create a focal point 

(Image credit: Amtico)

Add playfulness to your vinyl flooring scheme by using a mix of contemporary wood effect flooring and break it up with a dash of pattern to highlight a focal area of your kitchen.

11. Create the effect of natural stone

(Image credit: Amtico)

Perfect for both rustic country kitchens and industrial style kitchens, opt for a stone effect floor that has a weathered finish.

Plus wave goodbye to cold feet and no need to find out how to clean stone floors because vinyl flooring is super easy to clean.

(Image credit: Amtico)

Looking to distinguish an open plan living area or to enhance a small space? Create a mash up of two flooring looks to separate out a kitchen from a dining area so they have their own statement look.

13. Match your vinyl floor tiles to your kitchen

(Image credit: Harvey Maria )

Dark blue kitchen units contrasts with the white of Harvey Maria's iconic Dovetail Oxford Blue patterned vinyl flooring seamlessly to create visual impact. 

A contemporary looking pattern will work well in almost any style of kitchen.

14. Solid color vinyl kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Carpetright)

Think sheet vinyl is old news? Thing again.  

Opt for a matte sheet vinyl in a bold color for a kitchen floor. This sunny yellow shade from Carpetright will look right at home in a retro kitchen.  

Team with lots of rich mahogany and mid century modern touches to keep it looking bang on trend.

Jenny is Senior Digital Editor and joined the team in January 2021. She also works on the homes brands' video show, on the Future Homes Network , which is packed full of ideas to help you make the most of your own home and garden. Since getting on the property market with her first apartment and then more recently a house, her passion for interior design and gardening has taken on a new lease of life. Jenny's currently on the lookout for a doer-upper to put her stamp on. She loves collecting and salvaging unique items (much to her other half's despair) but sniffing out stylish home bargains is her one true love. When she has a spare minute, she loves to do a spot of crafting, having studied textiles at Uni – although she hardly gets the chance with a toddler who keeps her permanently on her toes.

Quartz-vinyl for the kitchen - practical!

Are you planning a kitchen renovation and choosing flooring? This article will help you create a comfortable and practical interior at no extra cost!

In the kitchen, the flooring is subjected to various tests - dishes and food fall on it, liquids are spilled, chairs and tables are moved over it.


Kitchen flooring should be practical, beautiful and durable. nine0009

Today, one of the most modern and reliable flooring is quartz-vinyl, better known as PVC floor tiles.

It is popular due to its ecological composition, durability, 100% moisture resistance and affordability. Thanks to this, quartz-vinyl can be used in private and commercial interiors.

Why FineFloor Quartz Vinyl is perfect for your kitchen? nine0006

These are tiles that imitate very precisely any type of wood, natural or artificial stone and other surfaces. The structure is a multi-layer system, including a quartz-vinyl base, a decorative layer and a unique protective layer. Thanks to a combination of innovative technologies and properties, quartz-vinyl acquires the qualities most important for the kitchen:0005 100% water resistant